Action toy



May 9, 1961 R. w. CRAWFORD ErAL ACTION TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 6, 1957 May 9, 1961 R. w. CRAWFORD Erm. 2,983,072

ACTION TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 6, 1957 INVENTOR. RALPH W CWA wFa/V ACTION roY W..Crawford, Herman G.Fisher, and Leslie W. Sly, -East Aurora,-N.Y., assignors to-Fisher-Price Toys,

lInc., East Aurora, N.Y.

-Filed May 6, 1957, Sel'. No. 657,080

V1 Claim. (Cl. 46-98) 'This invention relates generally to the amusement device art, and more speciiically to a new and useful action toy particularly adapted for young children.

Aiprimary object of our invention is to provide an action toy which simulates the lowing sound and the head and tail motions of a cow or like animal as the, toy

is moved along a supporting surface.

uAnother object of our invention is to provide the foregoing in a toy which is relatively inexpensive, and which is extremely durable and dependable in use While being entirely safe for very young children.

In one aspect thereof, a toy constructed in accord with our invention is characterized bythe provision of a body part, herein a tail simulating member, journaled on a body member for oscillation relative thereto, wheel and axial means mounting therbody member for rolling movement along a supporting surfaceand means including a novel wobble cam for translating wheel krotation into oscillation or switching of the tail simulating body part. In another aspect thereof, a toy constructed in accord with our invention is characterized by the provisionv of a body member,1wheel and ame means mounting the body member for rolling movement 'along a supporting surface, a `iirst body part, herein a head simulating member, `mounted on the body Vmember for movement relative thereto, a second body part, herein ear simulating means,

' mounted on the head simulating iirst body part for movement relative thereto, and novel means translatingY wheel rotationvinto relative oscillation of said head and ear 4simulating body parts.

In still anotheraspectsthereof, a toy constructed in accord with our invention is characterized by the provi- :sion of a bodymember, wheel and axle means mounting said' body member for rolling movement along a supporting surface, a bellows member carried by said body member, a voice box operatively associated with the -bellowsmember and havingan airlpassage therethrough and a vibratorymember thereacross, spring means normally urging said bellows member to collapsed, position, and drive means periodically expanding saidV bellows 4member against the urging of the spring means in respouse towheel rotation. "The foregoing and otherobjects, advantages and characterizing features of an action toy constructed in accord \wi,th our invention will become clearly apparent from a perusal of the ensuing detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment thereof, in conjunction with the l accompanying drawings illustrating such embodiment and t formingfa part hereof wherein like reference numerals Adenote like parts throughout the various views and wherein: i

- Fig. l is a side elevational view, partly in section and with parts either removed or broken awayfor greater clarity, illustrating two positions of operation of the ear land head simulating body parts and of the sound produc- `ing mechanism;

, Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof, illustrating-three dfferent positions of the `tail simulating .body part;

atent Patented May 9, 1961 liustance-formed'to resemble, in caricature, a cow. Body member 1 is hollow, housing a sound producing mechanism to be described hereafter, and is convenientlyfabricated from a pair of opposite side wall members'Z, paired front and rear leg simulating members 3 and 4, respectively, a neck and chest simulating member 5, a rear simulating member 6 and a back simulating member 7. Body members 2-7 are secured together in the manner shown, as by nails or like fastener devices, and to complete the caricature an udder simplating member 8 is secured to rear leg members 4 and to a transverse support member 9 which also comprises a Vfixed 'support for the sound producing mechanism as will be described hereafter.

A head simulating member 11 is pivotally secured on the upper portion of neck simulating member 5, asy by a pin 12, Aand carries on opposite sides thereof eye simulating members 13 of generally semi-spherical form fastened thereto in any desired manner. Ear simulating members 14, comprising generally circular wing like parts having flattened opposite sides and generallycylindrical extensions 15,' are secured to an axle 16 which extends loosely through a slot 17 in head member 11 for a purpose to be described.

The toy is adapted to be rolled along a floor or other supporting surface 18, having for this purposeV a paired front and rear wheel members 19 fixed on axles 21 and 22, respectively, which axles are journaled on the paired front and rear leg' members 3 andv4, respectively. To facilitate rolling the toy along the supporting surface 18 a pull string 23 is conveniently fastened to the neck and chest member 5, as by a staple or the like, and spacer members 23 are'positioned between wheels 19 and the leg members 3 and 4, to maintain the same in properly spaced relation.

`One particularly intriguing feature of a toy Constructed in accord with our invention resides in the tail simulating member and the actuating mechanism therefor. Thus, in accord with our invention there is provided a rod 25 lying in a generally vertical groove 26, formed in the rear member 6 with its upper end projecting through a notch 27 in back member 7 and terminating in a substantially right angled, rearwardly bent portion 28. A coiled spring 29 is mounted on one end of bent portion 28 of rod 25, extending just beyond the angle at the upper end thereof, and at its outer end spring 29 carries a knob-like member 31 of generally.' semispherical form, the members 29 and 31 together comprising the tail simulating member.

At its lower end, member 25 is inclined rearwardly and downwardly as indicated at 32 to provide an offset portion 33 Which is reverse bent at its lower end and terminates in an upstanding portion 34 similarly offset but on the opposite side of the main body portion of 25, thereby dening at the lower end thereof au elongated, generally Vertical loop or slot forming portion 33, 34 loosely embracing a wobble cam member 35 fixed to rear axle 22 for rotation therewith. To lthis end, rear axle 22 is conveniently formed of square or other out-of-round cross sectional configuration, when the wobble cam 35 being similarly formed to Aslipliit thereon for rotation therewith. i

It is known to translate rotation of an-axle into lateral alignment therewith.

thereon.

l'oscillation by inclining a portion of the axle relative to the axis of rotation and enclosing such inclined portion within a loop, the manner shown in Patent 2,069,181. However, that necessitatesbending. the axle which complicates fabrication and assembly thereof.

In accord with the instant invention,the'desired lat-eral oscillation *of the tail simulating'member 29, 31 is produced by the wobble cam 35 which is of. atsided form axle V22,V being substantiallyY parallel, the cam surfaces 36Y terminatingat their inner ends `in neutral portions 37 f substantially paralleling ,the axis of rotation on opposite sides of the axle.

Wobble cam 35 is enclosed between its opposite ends which loop is so arranged. that it is loosely confined between the opposite ends of cam 35, whereby upon rotation of axle 22 and cam 35 thev inclined cam portions 36 -Willbear against the follower loop portions 33 and 34 and twist the same to oscillate wire 25 and thereby move .Y the tail members 29, 31 between the extreme positions thereof illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 2.

In other words, the inclined portions 36 causethe loop portions 33 and 34 to swing over into alignment with the neutral portions 37 of the wobble cam, and to remain there until they are swung in the reverse direction into reverse It is a particular feature of this aspect of our invention that because wobble cam 35 is of flat sided form on opposite sides thereof, and is loosely embraced by the' loop portions 33, 34, there is provided a lost mo tion connection wherein the inclined cam faces 36 serve to periodically swing the loop from one position to the other, to move the tail 29, 31 with an intermittent moby the elongated loop 33, 34 of tail yactuating rod 25,

tion.` This action is enhanced by the resiliently exible tail spring, which permits a slight bobbing and weaving l action. 'I'he ball end 31 comprises a weight which causes Ythe tail to flex and bob as it is oscillated, thereby producng a very realistic switching motion in an extremely bers 14 andthe head simulating member 11, and the mechanism for moving them. A small spur gear having a spacing extension 41 of V,reduced diameter is iixed Vto front `wheel axle 21 for rotation therewith, axle 21 being of square or other out-of-round cross sectional configuration with gear y40 slip-fitting thereon for ease 4of assemblyas described in connection with the tail actuating mechanism. A speed reducing large gear. 42

. is journaled on front leg members 3, as by a pin 43,

for meshing engagement with gearV 40, and carries a cam memberv44 (Figs. 1 and 3) in the form of an eccentric Ear simulating members V14 are journaled on head Y member 11 in olset relation to the pivot 12 thereof, and the ear axle 16 is connected to cam 44 as by a link 45 having its upper end looped around ear axle 16 and its lower end looped aroundV cam 44 in pivotal relation thereto.

Therefore, as the toy is rolled along supporting surreciprocate drive link 45 and ear axle 16 in a directionV lengthwise of link 45, i.e. generally up and down. Be-

Y, cause ear axle 16 is loosely journaled in slot 17 in offset relation to the head pivot 12, such up and down motion of the ears is translated into up and down oscillation of headV member 11 about its pivot and in the process the ear axle 16 and ear members 14 are caused to rotate -rst in one direction and then in the opposite because of Ytheir bearing engagement along the .bottom wall ofv slot 17. The weight of head member `11 holds axle 16 against the side wall of slot -17 l f Thus, from the position of these parts shown in full lines in Fig. l, forward motion of the toy will cause rotation of cam 44 to its position illustrated in broken lines, pulling link 45 downwardly to its broken line position which in the manner described immediately above raises head 11 to its broken line position. In the process, the ear laxle moves from the rear to the forward end of slot 17 causing clockwise rotation of the ear simulating members 14 which then assume the attitude illustrated in broken lines in'Fig. l. i of the toy will Vcause movement of these parts in the opposite,y direction, and this l'alternating action continues Y with continued motion of thetoy; Accordingly, there is produced ya very unique up and down Voscillatlon of the head simulating member coupled with an intriguing rotation of the ear` members which particular-lyY fascinating to extremely young children. If desired, a large round hole can be used in lieu of slot'17. Y. v

Still another intriguing feature of this invention'resides inthe sound producing mechanism which is designed to very realistically simulate the lowing of cattle. To this end, there is provided an elongated, flexible bellows 47 of generally concentrically pleated form as clearly illustrated in Fig. l, the lower end of the bellows being secured to the fixed transverse support 9 as by nails, pins or other fastenings, not illustrated, driven through acard 48. Bellows 47 preferably is a one piece member.

At its open upper end, bellows 47 is snap-fitted around the generally cylindrical side wall 49 of `a two piece chamber andreed khousing generally designated A50, between the large diameter top wall 49 thereof and a larger diameter coverplate 62. Housing 50 comprises a voice box `51 of generally circular form having a lateral exten- V'sion 52'formed'on its undersidefwith a bearing embossment 53 and having an opening 54 therethrough. The

circular main body portion of voice boxr51 is formed interiorlythereof with an elongated entrance passage 56 leading to a semicircular passage 57 which in turn leads to a generally straight passage '58, substantially parallel to passage 56 and whichV in turn leads to another Sernicircular passage 59, generally concentric to passagev `57, terminating in an outlet opening 61. Coverv62 ts over the open bottom face of voice box 51 and is bonded Athereto,rthe cover having an opening 63 therein overlying the entrance end portionkof passage 56. Note that Ypassages f I 56-59 lie in a plane generally parallel .to cover Y62.V A vibratory reed member 64 is Ysecured over passage 56` in alignment with opening 63, having at its inner end lateral- Y ly directed tabs 65 apertured to slip-tit over pins 66 formed invoice box 51 on opposite sidesV of passage56, reed 64 being held in place by cover 62 which is provided with spaced openings to receive pins 66. Opening 63 terminates at substantiallythe juncture of thevibrating portion 64 of the reed and tabs 65 thereof, and is wider than reed 64 and extends beyond the outer end K thereof whereby reed 64 is free to move within opening coil spring V71 extending between a recessed portion` of V.

Extension 52 is formed at its outer end with a hinge portion 67 defining an opening 68 to receive a hinge pin 69 which extends between the opposite sides 2 of body member 1, whereby the voice box unit 50 is pivoted on body member 1 for collapsing and expanding bellows 47.

Bellows 47 is urged toward collapsed position by,a

back member l7 and voice box extension 52, with its Vlower end engaged over a raised anchor formation 72 on f the upper side of extension `52. The bellows 47 Yis expanded by a reciprocating actuating link orrod 73l which is formed with a large loop atits lower'end pivotally encircling the eccentric 44., Adjacent its upper end rod shoulder75 leading to a generally upright terminal end Further forward movement portion 76 projecting through the extension opening '54 and into spring 71.

Thus, bellows 47 is urged toward collapsed position not only by the force of gravity but also by spring 71, while being opened against the spring by the cam driven rod 73, thereby providing a uniform and positive action. As the toy is rolled along supported surface 18, eccentric cam 44 rotates to drive link 73 and voice box unit 50 upwardly against spring 71 to the position thereof shown in full lines in Fig. l, which expands bellows 47. Further rolling movement of the toy causes cam 44 to pull link 73 downwardly, in a retreating fashion, with spring 71 urging the voice box unit 50 and bellows 47 ,to follow the retreating link 73, as to the broken line position thereof shown in Fig. l. This collapses bellows 47 and forces air therein past reed 56 which then vibrates. The vibrations of reed 56 are transmitted through the chamber passages 56, 57, 58 and 59 out through opening 61 and into hollow body member 1, which passages and hollow body cooperate with reed 56 to create a sound which is amazingly similar to the lowing of cattle.

Further in accord with this aspect of our invention, the sound producing mechanism and the head actuating mechanism are arranged so that, as illustrated in Fig. 1, upon movement of the head simulating member 11 from a lowered to a raised position bellows 47 are collapsed by spring 71 to emit a lowing sound as the head is raised, all in a very realistic manner. Also, gear 42 comprises a speed reducing transmission, whereby actuation of the sound producing mechanism and the head simulating member occurs less frequently than does rotation of the wheels.

Accordingly, it is seen that our invention fully accomplishes the aforesaid objects and provides an extremely intriguing and unusual action toy which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction. Wobble cam 35, voice box 51 and cover 62, and the gears 40 and 43, together with ear simulating members 14, can conveniently comprise molded plastic structures, While the remainder of the toy, except for the metal links or rods, springs, axles and pins, and the rubber bellows, can conveniently comprise wood pieces which can have appropriate lithographs or other surface ornamentation thereon.

Spacer means 77, such as a staple, can be provided to hold rods 73 and 45 against movement on eccentric 44.

While only a presently preferred, illustrative embodiment of our invention has been disclosed and described herein, it will be appreciated that our invention is not limited to the details thereof.

Having fully `disclosed and completely described our invention, together with its mode of operation, what we claim as new is as follows:

An action toy comprising a body member having a head simulating member pivoted on said body member,

axle means journaled on said -body member, Wheel means carried by said axle means for rolling movement along a supporting surface, bellows means carried by said body member and voice box means operatively associated with said bellows means and arranged to produce a predetermined desired sound upon flexing said bellows means between collapsed and expanded positions, reciprocating drive means alternately driving said bellows means in one direction and retreating to allow movement of said bellows in the opposite direction, a coil spring mounted between said bellows and said body member urging said bellows in the said opposite direction, and means including speed reducing transmission means translating rotation of said axle means into reciprocation of said drive means, an eccentric driven by said speed reducing transmission, said reciprocating drive' means comprising two connecting rods the terminal ends of each rod having a loop pivotally encircling the eccentric driven by said speed reducing transmission means, one of said rods connected at its other end to said bellows for imparting movement thereto, the other of said rods connected to the pivoted head simulating member to impart pivotal movement thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent y UNITED STATES PATENTS 953,289 

